title: Socio-economic impact of endovenous thermal ablation techniques.
abstract: Varicose veins are common and cause extensive morbidity; however, the value of treatment is under-appreciated. Many procedures allow the treatment of varicose veins with minimal cost and extensive literature supporting differing minimally invasive approaches. In this article, we investigate the current literature regarding treatment options, clinical outcome and the cost-benefit economics associated with varicose vein treatment. The practice of defining clinical outcome with quality of life (QOL) assessment is explained to provide valid concepts of treatment success beyond occlusion rates.
authors.affiliation: Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, 4th North, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London, W6 8RF, UK.
authors.forename: Damian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kelleher
authors.forename: Tristan R A
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: Ian J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Franklin
authors.forename: Alun H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology